Sailing home in 5 hours with a 25 kt following breeze
Monday, November 24, 2008
The Queenscliff Weekend
The Latitude Race was cancelled due to the accurate forecast of aweful weather but having stowed provisions those hardy members of the crew bravely set out in surprisingly sunny and favourable winds at 1500 hrs on Friday. Dovie, Dick, Mel , Els , Sue and Bryan then found themselves in a maelstrom with rain, 20-30kts on the nose. The West Channel came into sight after about 3 hours of unpleasantness and fortunately the wind died off and the sun came out making entry to the cut and tying up at QCYC much easier.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
WISC UPDATE
After a stupendous effort by Paul to keep us focussed on the race in the light and at times non existant airs we ended up in the right place at the right time. We scored a third which has put us at the top of the ladder. Quote of the race awas from Paul..."Were doing well , we're still moving " when in fact the boat was doing a big circle on the spot! Handicap will go up so that a bit of breze next race will be welcome and hopefully we can fly the kite.
The Latitude race crew is Drummonds, Doves, Dick, Els, Mel and Jenny so no racing Saturday the 22nd. The boat will be out the heads , weather permitting.
The cruising group met last Friday to discuss a cruise in company in March. The dates decided upon were March 14th -28th and the destination was the Tamar ie across the paddock. Sadly we can only take 6 in all across Bass Strait. Once in the Tamar though we could add to the crew as flights to Launceston are quite cheap and I'm sure there must be local buses from Launceston to places like Beauty Point or George town. Another possibility is for someone to come over with a car on the ferry and drive from Devonport... 1 hour or less. Let me know if your interested. It will involve and overnight passage and watchkeeping etc and there is always the possibility that the departure delayed as we will not set off if there is any doubt about the weather. That is in either direction!
Fair weather Sue
The Latitude race crew is Drummonds, Doves, Dick, Els, Mel and Jenny so no racing Saturday the 22nd. The boat will be out the heads , weather permitting.
The cruising group met last Friday to discuss a cruise in company in March. The dates decided upon were March 14th -28th and the destination was the Tamar ie across the paddock. Sadly we can only take 6 in all across Bass Strait. Once in the Tamar though we could add to the crew as flights to Launceston are quite cheap and I'm sure there must be local buses from Launceston to places like Beauty Point or George town. Another possibility is for someone to come over with a car on the ferry and drive from Devonport... 1 hour or less. Let me know if your interested. It will involve and overnight passage and watchkeeping etc and there is always the possibility that the departure delayed as we will not set off if there is any doubt about the weather. That is in either direction!
Fair weather Sue
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Cup Day and Beyond
Dear Crew, Still no pictures so BRING THE CAMERA SUE!
Bryan and crew for the last 2 Saturdays have excelled themselves with a first and second.
Cup Day is lunch on board at 1200hrs. Meat for BBQ and Dessert(such as it is ) is provided. Perhaps a sail if conditions suit.
It looks like all WednesdayTwilights between now and Xmas are on and are good practice for the WISCs. Saturdays 15th November and perhaps the 6th December are off (Cruising Group Pontoon Party....) and Saturday 22nd December is the Latitude race.
Latitude race crew so far is Me, Bryan, Els, Mel, Dick and Jenny. Any more and we will have to hier another life raft so let me know.
Bryan and crew for the last 2 Saturdays have excelled themselves with a first and second.
Cup Day is lunch on board at 1200hrs. Meat for BBQ and Dessert(such as it is ) is provided. Perhaps a sail if conditions suit.
It looks like all WednesdayTwilights between now and Xmas are on and are good practice for the WISCs. Saturdays 15th November and perhaps the 6th December are off (Cruising Group Pontoon Party....) and Saturday 22nd December is the Latitude race.
Latitude race crew so far is Me, Bryan, Els, Mel, Dick and Jenny. Any more and we will have to hier another life raft so let me know.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Race 1 12th October 2008
We had a strong northerly of about 20kts, the full crew and mentors Paul and Dick. We shot down to Sandy and got a reasonable start in both races. We were double reefed in the first and shook out one reef for the second. The helm was tricky but not as hard work as the sheet hands had. Foredeckies Angela and Mel had it easier as we were only poled out in the second race.
We seemed to start just behind Emma Kate but could never keep up with her and the rest of the fleet left us behind.
Lunch was preceeded by champagne and beetroot dip. Quiche was eaten even by the real men and Karen made pink iced fairy cakes..and we did find some beer.
BUT the good news is that on PHD handicap (we have the lowest @ 0.65) we came second in both!!!!! So just wait itl we get that pole and spinnaker sequence smooth. Next time bring the camera..thats a reminder for myself.
We seemed to start just behind Emma Kate but could never keep up with her and the rest of the fleet left us behind.
Lunch was preceeded by champagne and beetroot dip. Quiche was eaten even by the real men and Karen made pink iced fairy cakes..and we did find some beer.
BUT the good news is that on PHD handicap (we have the lowest @ 0.65) we came second in both!!!!! So just wait itl we get that pole and spinnaker sequence smooth. Next time bring the camera..thats a reminder for myself.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Whats On
I've been looking thru the RBYC calender, the ORCV events and the QCYC Dates for your diary.
Unfortunately on Cup W'end Bryan and I will be otherwise occupied by car things but on 22nd -24th November is the ORCV Latitude race and Blaigowrie to Sandy. You would have to have an YA number to participate. We could also take more than 6 if we hired another liferaft. Its a great opportunity to try off shore racing.
The other event which we are planning to participate is the Geelong week, the week of the Australia day holiday. Wed 21st Jan 2009-Monday 26th.
On the 13th Feb there is a Latitude overnight race on the Bay which would begreat practice for navigation and watchkeeping. This is an ORCV event. No details are available on the website asyet.
Then there are 2 Bass Straight Cruises one with RBYC Cruising Group and the other with QCYC both starting on the 28th Feb for about 14 days. Perhaps they will combine. Anyway if all is well we will go, probably with RBYC.
Finally, there are 2 ORCV races...Port Fairy 10th April and Apollo Bay 16th May.
For the offshore cruise and races it would be good to attend the Latitude series of tutes next year (Check the ORCV website)and to do a Sea Safety and Survival Course (ORCV, Yachtmaster, Sandy and others run these. A Radio operators licence would be handy.
Something to think about and get excited.
Unfortunately on Cup W'end Bryan and I will be otherwise occupied by car things but on 22nd -24th November is the ORCV Latitude race and Blaigowrie to Sandy. You would have to have an YA number to participate. We could also take more than 6 if we hired another liferaft. Its a great opportunity to try off shore racing.
The other event which we are planning to participate is the Geelong week, the week of the Australia day holiday. Wed 21st Jan 2009-Monday 26th.
On the 13th Feb there is a Latitude overnight race on the Bay which would begreat practice for navigation and watchkeeping. This is an ORCV event. No details are available on the website asyet.
Then there are 2 Bass Straight Cruises one with RBYC Cruising Group and the other with QCYC both starting on the 28th Feb for about 14 days. Perhaps they will combine. Anyway if all is well we will go, probably with RBYC.
Finally, there are 2 ORCV races...Port Fairy 10th April and Apollo Bay 16th May.
For the offshore cruise and races it would be good to attend the Latitude series of tutes next year (Check the ORCV website)and to do a Sea Safety and Survival Course (ORCV, Yachtmaster, Sandy and others run these. A Radio operators licence would be handy.
Something to think about and get excited.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Upcoming Events
Unfortunatley we cannot go to Tassy next year as was planned but hope to do some smaller trips.
Her are a few dates for your diary:
Racing every Sat EXCEPT sat 18th October
Racing every Wed night on board 1545 at latest
Latitude Race and Blairgowrie to Sandringham. Leaving for Queenscliff 5pm Friday 21st November. Out the heads and back Sat. BBQ Blairgowrie YC the race to Sandy Sunday 23rd .....then you can say youve been ocean racing. Need YA number for this.
More to follow Sue & Bryan
Her are a few dates for your diary:
Racing every Sat EXCEPT sat 18th October
Racing every Wed night on board 1545 at latest
Latitude Race and Blairgowrie to Sandringham. Leaving for Queenscliff 5pm Friday 21st November. Out the heads and back Sat. BBQ Blairgowrie YC the race to Sandy Sunday 23rd .....then you can say youve been ocean racing. Need YA number for this.
More to follow Sue & Bryan
Practice Day
Dear WISCers
Practice went well with the gradual improvement in starts and spinnaker hoists over the four race starts. The day was a glorious sunny crisp October day with a northerly to start which went round to a south westerly , all the time staying at a manageable 10kts with flat seas. Paul proved to be a very enthusiastic mentor , Dick was "The Human Traveller" (unfortunately no pictures) and Bryan made cups of tea and Dovie coached Karen on the finer points of spinnaker sheet hauling in. The spinnaker hoist was executed by Mel and Angela with Kate on the halyard and tackline. The gybe was an amazing feat of coordination by the helm, me and the sheet handlers, Else and Karen. Guys we might be in with a chance given our handicap......sipping gin slings in the Whitsundays???
JUst one bleak note. I managed to run over the man overboard.
IMPORTANT THIS WEEK
* Monday Night 6,30 in the bar aat RBYC Deb Lloyd who does race management will give a talk on race rules.
* Wednesday Night 5.45 pm FIRST TWILIGHT
* Wednesday night also Rosie Colahan talking about Race Starts Sandringham YC 7pm
* Friday AlbertPark Sailing Centre 5 pm Launch of the Wonmen in Sailing Website ..Free champers BUT a chance to take out dinghies . The taking out dinghies will be every Friday Night 5-dark and it would be great experience and fun to do..I will have a go when a free Friday comes along.
*Saturday Race Boat 1245 latest
* Sunday WISC 1 on board 0830
Cheers Sue and Bryan
Practice went well with the gradual improvement in starts and spinnaker hoists over the four race starts. The day was a glorious sunny crisp October day with a northerly to start which went round to a south westerly , all the time staying at a manageable 10kts with flat seas. Paul proved to be a very enthusiastic mentor , Dick was "The Human Traveller" (unfortunately no pictures) and Bryan made cups of tea and Dovie coached Karen on the finer points of spinnaker sheet hauling in. The spinnaker hoist was executed by Mel and Angela with Kate on the halyard and tackline. The gybe was an amazing feat of coordination by the helm, me and the sheet handlers, Else and Karen. Guys we might be in with a chance given our handicap......sipping gin slings in the Whitsundays???
JUst one bleak note. I managed to run over the man overboard.
IMPORTANT THIS WEEK
* Monday Night 6,30 in the bar aat RBYC Deb Lloyd who does race management will give a talk on race rules.
* Wednesday Night 5.45 pm FIRST TWILIGHT
* Wednesday night also Rosie Colahan talking about Race Starts Sandringham YC 7pm
* Friday AlbertPark Sailing Centre 5 pm Launch of the Wonmen in Sailing Website ..Free champers BUT a chance to take out dinghies . The taking out dinghies will be every Friday Night 5-dark and it would be great experience and fun to do..I will have a go when a free Friday comes along.
*Saturday Race Boat 1245 latest
* Sunday WISC 1 on board 0830
Cheers Sue and Bryan
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Opening Day
Opening Day 4th October at RBYC started with a blessing of the fleet by the Anglican Bishop of Melbourne Diocese and official opening by the Commodore of the HMAS Cerberus the a sail past and race. We got the spinnaker up and managed to gybe it at the 3rd mark. We were visited by Rear Commodore Woodman and his lovely wife!!
Friday, September 26, 2008
WISC 08/09
Hi WISCers,
Dates for this years WISC are 11/10, 9/11, 7/12 08 and 8/2, 22/3 ans 5/4 09
The Team so far on Folie A Deux is Sue, Kate, Mel, Els, Angela, Halina, Mandy, Karen with Peter , Dick and Bryan and guest mentor..Paul Woodman. Not all the men can go on the boat at the same time!!
The apparel is either last years pink shirts (which I am happy to get embroidered with the Boat name and year ) OR either the pink striped polo or the long sleeved pink shirt from the club which will come embroidered OR the breast cancer polo , long T and pink sleeveless polatec zip up. The latter 2 will be organized by the club. Merella is still organizing this and the way this will occur is unclear. My guess is that you will purchase what you want and the embroidery will be organized. The striped or plain polo or longsleeved can be bought from the club office and the National Breast Cancer website has the other. Jenny, Els and Joanne and Mandy have the club apparel and Jenny ans Els below have the breast Cancer stuff.
On Sunday 28th spinnaker practice looks unlikely due to the weather. Boat weighing has been deferred SO MOB drill at the boat at 1pm unless weather hideous.
Wednesday 1st October 7pm Sandy talk on Sail trim ...really useful if you can attend.
Saturday 4th October is opening day with the opening ceremony at the club at 12, lunch on board at 1pm (BYO), the sailpast at 2 and the race at 3. There is a BBQ after at clubhouse.
Wednesday 8th October is the START of Twilights yeah....but also for wiscer Rosie Colohan is talking on start tactics at 7 pm at Sandy. Big clash. I am going to Rosies talk and Bryan will be sailing.
Few big weeks ahead.
Looking forward to it. Sue
Sunday, March 16, 2008
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